Paris comes to Chicago

On Friday, Julie A. and I went to the new Chicago French Marketplace. We wanted to explore ideas for an upcoming bridal shower that we are having this weekend. In general, the market was lively, in particular, Pastoral Artisan Cheeses. They were making delectable sandwiches, in unusual combinations- figs, blue cheese and prosciutto on french baguettes - over 20 different sandwich combinations to choose from. We purchased fresh goat cheese from them - from a farm in southern Illinois. We will use it in a lemon infused goat cheese appetizer for the shower. Bread artisans were abundant, and the bread was truly works of art. A cinnamon apple focaccia went home with Julie. Supposedly she was giving it to her mother in law - but I wonder if that happened?????? Pastries from the Vanille Patisserie went home with me, and I can tell you that I did not give them to anyone. The beautiful confections were devoured by my family that night and they were divine. However, I did purchase exquisite handmade truffles from Canady Le Chocolatier for the shower. Metallic coatings, lavender and white chocolate, and beautiful rose shapes- I just hope that they make it to Sunday - I've seen my son peaking in those boxes several times!

Kentucky Derby Luncheon on the Terrace

Lunch on the terrace was the theme of our last table on our recent home tour. Outside on the terrace, we used the home owner's hats to create a whimsical table. Using towers, we filled the layers with rose petals and chocolate ganache cupcakes embellished with red roses. Rhinestone pins held the angel vine and lamb's ear to the white napkins. The new pattern of dinnerware from Arte Italica was mixed with our red bubble glass stemware and antique tin salad bowls from France. . The vintage flatware works great with the Arte Italica dinnerware. White linen tablecloths with a black linen band on the bottom added a crisp note to the overall table. This setting looked exquisite against the home owner's beautifully landscaped backyard.

Little Red Touches for the Derby Dinner

- A Post Race Dinner Party - that was the theme of the formal table at our recent fundraiser home tour. A fresh moss base held a grapevine root, which we layered with red roses, white hydrangea, and ferns. Antique Rosenthal china on silver chargers, were embellished with red silk organdy napkins, tied with velvet bands and rhinestone horseshoes. Menu cards, using a Spencerian horse graphic from the graphics fairy, described the southern style Derby meal. Antique gold etched compotes held white oriental lilies filled with red raspberries. Brilliant cut crystal decanters were placed on the table to serve your choice of fine Kentucky bourbons. The buffet held a Flemish inspired floral bouquet and was enhanced by the fresh fruit display in the silver compotes. A Chocolate cake topped with red raspberries and a lily was added to the buffet!

Derby Day Box Lunch

Today was the day for the home tour that we have been planning. As usual, it was hectic at the last moments, getting the final touches on the tables. Nose gays were placed inside of fluted linen napkins, and the ice bucket, made of roses and ferns frozen in ice, was placed on the table. Our Kentucky Derby Box Lunch, served in vintage silver vegetable dishes, was tied with wired twine and a menu label, disclosing the contents, Hot Browns, Mint Julep Pineapple, and Orange Pecan Bourbon Pie. Paper cones on the back of the chairs were made of sheet music - My Old Kentucky Home - and filled with roses, lamb's ear and ferns. Wooden platforms held the silver boxes, and a little knife rest of sugar snap peas was placed on the side to enhance the gold pea pod forks and knives.We used a glass etched of ferns. On the grand server of iron and limestone, we used silver mint julep cups filled with mint and our Orange Bourbon Pecan Tart. A brown and white houndstooth tablecloth was a great contrasting background for the silver lunch boxes.

Lilacs and Roses

It is the 2nd day of May in northern Illinois. We have actually had a spring- several days in the 60's ! Our lilac tree is blooming - right on schedule - the 1st of May! So Mr. RTH and I head off the to nursery to buy plants- roses to replace the one's that did not make it- herbs for my herb garden and anything else that looks different for this year! After an afternoon of planting, I decide to come in and make dinner for us. Since the lilacs are blooming, I cut some for the table and decide to set a table on our front porch to celebrate the lilacs. Old china from Mr. RTH's Grandma Lizzie, purple crystal and antique candelabras, I found on Friday, complete the tribute to lilacs. The purple toile tablecloth is perfect and adding the old monogrammed french napkins completes the French touch that I love so much. I light the candles- the mosquitoes join us - can you believe they are already here? - and we immediately retreat inside to enjoy our meal! At least I have pretty lilacs for the table!

Harry Lauder Walking Sticks

Yesterday, my friend, Jill and I, drove up to Monches Farm, in Wisconsin to look for unusual perennials. We were not disappointed. Our favorite one was the Harry Lauder Walking Stick Tree. You can only imagine it with snow on it's branches. It's leaves are also crinkly and twisted. Other favorites included a tree peony, with ruffled yellow flowers. A fuzzy leaf plant, similar to lamb's ear was also purchased and brought back to our gardens in Illinois. Before leaving, we had to visit the resident peacock, doves and chickens.After all, a little bit of idyllic country is soothing to the soul. We are planning a trip back in May, when the scented geraniums are available and more is in bloom.

Derby Madness

Today, we started refining the place settings for our home tour that is coming up in May. For the Derby Day Box Lunch, we added little rose tussie mussies to the top of the box. Fresh mint, lamb's ear, roses and a wired twine were used to create the topper. Using sugar snap peas and a rhinestone florist pin, we made a knife rest for the little gold and pearl butter knife. A cone was made from the music of "My Old Kentucky Home" and another floral tussie mussie was placed inside. Lot's of double face red satin ribbon allowed the cone to be tied to the back of each guest's chair.

We started on the concept for the main dining table. Antique Rosenthal china is set in a silver serving tray, and a etched gold rimmed compote is placed in the center. A white lily is filled with raspberries for a little whimsical touch. We are working on a centerpiece using old grapevine wood, roses and ferns. More to come on that idea -------the event is in 2 weeks! Yikes! Lot's to do-----